Ms Ferguson, 28, was scammed out of thousands of pounds by a friend who conned her into looking after her business interests.

The X Factor star, speaking outside Liverpool Crown Court, said: "There's only so much that gets said in court for obvious reasons but it goes so much deeper; it completely ruined my life to be honest. It affected so many aspects my life; my financial state and my personal relationships."

She added: "I find it hard build trust but I am so grateful and thankful to Merseyside Police, Barbara Webster, the barrister and my family who have been there for me supporting me through it.

"I think - if anything - what I have learned from this experience is watch who you trust but that people also have to be so careful when they're taking money from others because it's so much more than money - it's people's lives.

Rebecca Ferguson outside Liverpool Crown Court

Rachel Taylor, 54, was today jailed for 16 months.

Taylor led the Liverpool songstress to believe she was a qualified accountant and even stole money she vowed to place in a trust fund for Ms Ferguson’s young daughter.